Tabulating machine



Sept. 9, 1941. E. H. DREHER TABULATING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ELM ER H. DREHER NEY ATT

Sept. 9, 1941.

E. H. DR EH ER.

TABULATING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1939 6 Sheets-Shed 2 FIG? - INVENTOR I ELMER H. DREHER ATTO NEY p 1941- E. H. DREHER 2,255,656

TABULA'I' ING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet'S INVENTOR 5' ELMER H.DREHER Sept. 9, 1941.

E. H. DREHER 'TABULATING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV ENTOR' ELMER H DREHER ATT Sept. 9, 1941'. E. H. DREHER- TABULATING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.8

I N V E N T OR ELMER H.DREHER Sept. 9, 1941. E. H. DREHER 2,255,656

TABULATING MACHINE Filed D80. 15, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ELMER H. DREHER Patented Sept. 9, 1941 TABULATING MACHINE Elmer H. Dreher, Rockville Centre, Long Island, N. Y., assignor to Remington Rand Inc., Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 13,1939, Serial No. 309,043

8" Claims.

This invention relates to paper positioning mechanism, and particularly is embodied in the features of a mechanism of the type adapted to feed a web of paper over a platen, or imprinting location in machines providing the same.

The invention is primarily applicable for use upon statistical record keeping machines, such as tabulators and the like, or with any type of kindred paper utilizing machines in which a positive feed control of the paper employed therewith is a feature of importance.

In the art generally concerned with the present inventive concepts, it is customary practice to construct devices for the positive feeding of a web of paper, which provide therewith-cooperating pins for engagement with perforations located in the marginal area of the paper utilized, in order to obtain the required result. These devices, consequently, are usable only with especially prepared perforate paper, the obviation of such a particular requirement in the form of the paper being one of the primary objects of the present invention.

The principal broad object of the invention is the provision of paper positioning mechanism mechanism and in which the gripping means is capable 'of controllably and positively feeding a paper in which no cooperative perforations are required. Through the elimination of the disadvantageous necessity of employing prepared paper, of a determined width only, for use in a given feeding device, the mechanism of the present disclosure is constructed so that the same is longitudinally adjustable to accommodate its use with paper of diflerent widths.

.The invention further contemplates the provision of a unitary paper positioning mechanism,

' capable of uniformly feeding a web of paper both to and from a platen or imprintinglocation, during the operation thereof.

Another object of the inventive concepts herewith disclosed, consists in obtaining an even positive feed of the paper, free from lateral slip- .vision of a mechanism of this character adapted to automatically adjust itself to obtain the uniform feeding of a web of paper in which there are irregularities, or variances, in the thickness or texture of the same. v

Still a further object of the invention is to located in an oflset position with relation tothe tangential line of contact of the paper to the noted contact area of the mechanism.

A further object is to obtain a more positiye and accurate feeding of the paper by providing a curved area feed contact surface for thepaper upon the mechanism in place of the customary tangential gripping feed line connection hereto-' fore employed.

Another object of the invention is to secure the paper in a feedable position upon the curved area of a cylindrically shapedelement forming the body of the mechanism in such a manner that the gripping fingers retaining the paper exert a force upon the paper, upon operation of the feed mechanism, at an angle to the plane of movement of the paper approaching the element.

A further important object is to provide in a positive feed mechanism a means by which the paper engaging fingers of the same are tensionally or yieldably retained when in operative positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide mechanism for progressively advancing a plurality of gripping fingers, associated therewith, into and retracting the same from a paper engaging position and in which the fingers will be clear of the paper when otherwise than in such paper engaging position.

Still another object of the invention is to construct a feeding mechanism of this character having a paper engaging roller elementiin which means are provided for rotative movement of the gripping fingers thereof to avoid interference of the same with the controlled movement of the paper with respect to and under the inmachine provide a mechanism of this nature which perfluence of the mechanism.

Other objects and structural details of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a left-hand side elevation of the mechanism, with parts broken away, to illustrate the inventionmounted for use with a tabulator Fig. 2 is a plan view of themechanism as shown in Fig. 1;

I engaging position,

Fig. 3 is across section taken on line 2-3, Fig. 2, the same being enlarged to more clearly indicate the construction and association of parts;

Fig. 4 is a cross section, still further enlarged, taken on line 4-4, Fig. 3;

. Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on line Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken on line 6-4, Fig. 4, the same being further enlarged to clearly show the internal structure of the mechanism forming the basis of the present inventive concepts;

Fig. 7 is a partial detail side elevation showing the exterior construction of the mechanism;

Fig? 8 is a detail end elevation showing a modification ofthe form of paper positioning mechanism embodying the present inventive concepts;

' Fig. 9 is a partial transverse cross section of the modification shown in Fig. 8 particularly illustrating the stationary internal cam actuator construction thereof with relation to one of the drums;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal cross section showing one of the gripping fingers employed in this form of the invention in a paper and Fig. 11 is a detail plan view of the gripping finger and the toggle mechanism through which it is controlled.

The invention as herein shown and described is embodied for use with 9. Powers tabulating machine, the same being illustrated in outline in Figs. 1 and 2, it being particularly desired to point out that this merely is a convenient and suitably adapted application to which the present matter may be put, the same not being limited in any respect to such use. In such a machine, tabulation of the information contained on punched cards is effected by printing the interpretation of the coded dataupon a web of paper positioned over the imprinting location or platen of the machine.

For the purposes of the present invention, the exact form or width of the paper employed is immaterial. -The same may be either a continuous blank web of paper such as shown in the drawings or a pre-printed continuous web of paper, in fanfold form, such as applicable for use in preparing monthly statements of a concern utilizing the machine, or some other desired form. It is not necessary to have special marginally perforated paper for the mechanism, although such a type of paper may also be fed by the present mechanism.

The length of the feed of the paper over the imprinting location is not of material concern in the herewith disclosed invention. The mechanism is illustrated for operation in as simple a form as possible, which provides a constant feed spacing of the paper controlled thereby between printing operations of the tabulator.

The present disclosure does not contain a lineto-line feed mechanism, but it is obvious that such a device can well be adapted to drive the feeddrum. For varying the length of the paper feed between printing operations in any desired manner, the mechanism shown and described in my U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,059,215, issued November 3, 1936 for paper feedmechanism may be employed for this purpose in connection with the presently described mechanism to obtain any desired regulation of. the feed.

The showing in the drawings of the Powers tabulator, the particular construction and functions of which are well known in the art, is limited in extent to an amount only required to obtain aclear understanding of the utilization'ofthe presently disclosed mechanism therewith. For this purpose, the side of the translator unit of the tabulator is indicated in the drawings by the reference number 20. The customary head unit a of the tabulator is designated at 2|, this portion of the machine including the required mechanism to print the interpreted coded data of the punched cards, totalize the same, etc., on suitable sheets or webs of paper in a desired manner. The platen or printing location of the mechanism is situated in the head unit 2| of the machine as designated at 22. Thebase unit, driving mechanism, type sectors and other constructional details of the various parts of the tabulator are not specifically illustrated in the drawings, as the same may be of any well known structure and do not form apart of the herewith disclosed inventive concepts.

It will be noted that the usual feed rolls associated with the platen 22 of the tabulator are not employed in the illustrated construction.

The usual tabulator driving mechanism, not shown, is employed as an actuating meansfor the paper positioning mechanism through drive shaft 23, thereof. The paper feed mechanism is preferably automatically operated through the shaft 23 in spaced synchronized relationship with the printing operation of the tabulator. However, the customary feed controlling devices employed with a tabulator are applicable to regulate the operation of the mechanism when desired through shaft 23. This part of the tabulator construction'is'very well known in the art and is, therefore, not herewith illustrated in connection with the present invention.

Mounj ing structure (Figs. 1, 2, .3, and 4) The paper positioning mechanism comprising the described inventive subject matter is herewith embodied in a preferable mechanical form, as shown in the drawings, situated in a suitable frame work structure mounted upon the upper portion of the tabulator head unit 2 I. This frame work includes end plates 2! which are mounted in position at the respective opposite sides of the tabulator head, and cross rods 25 and 26 suitably secured therebetween. The frame work is bolted or otherwise secured across the top of the tabulator head as indicated at 21 in the drawings, the same being noted in Figs. 3 and 4. End plates 24 I are of similar construction and extend vertically with respect to the'tabulator, the same ibein fixed in spaced parallel relationship. The cross rods serve to maintain this condition betweenthe end plates but are more particularly providedfor another purpose as will hereinafter be described. A square shaft 28 provided with suitable end trunnion portions is located between the end plates, the same being rotatably mounted in bearings 29 and 30 contained in the respective plates. Shaft 28 forms the direct driving element of the mechanism, upon which the same is mounted, and is located in parallel relationship to the platen 22'of the tabulator.

Actuating devices for mechanism (Fig. 1) w The length of the feed of paper in a given operation is determined by the rotary movement im- I42, and M3.

however, being merely illustrative of the operation of the mechanism. The degree or manner of actuation of the mechanism is not of material concern to the present inventive concepts, so consequently the simplest and most direct mechanism for accomplishing the purpose has been illustrated in the drawings.-

This mechanism includes a lever arm 3| (Fig. l), the lower end of which is pivoted at 32 in a lock 33 rigidly fixed upon the base plate of the tabulator head unit 2|. A cam 34 secured on the drive shaft 23 controls the movement of a follower roller 35 journaled in an extension of the lever arm 3|. the roller engaging position with the cam 34 by, means of a spring 36, one end of the same being connected to the lever as designated at 31. The other end of the spring is secured in a fixed position as indicated at 38. A bail-shaped rock lever 39, pivotally mounted about a shaft 40 sit-. uated in a rotatable position in a bearing located The lever 3! is pressed into in a stationary member 4| (Fig. 2), carries a pawl 42 which ispivotally connected to one end of the same as indicated at 43. The opposite end of the rock lever 39 is joined to lever 3| through means of a connecting link 44. A ratchet wheel 45, with which the pawl 42 is engageably associated, is rigidly mounted on the shaft 40. A

gear wheel 46 is mounted for rotation with the shaft 40 under influence of movement imparted thereto by the ratchet 45. Inoperation of the actuating device through control of the rotation of cam 34, two positive oscillations of the rock lever 39 occur each cycle, such oscillations effecting movement of the gear wheel 46 through a designed degree of arcuate'travel determined by the shape of the cam 34 to accomplish the result desired, by reason of the cooperation of the pawl 42 and ratchet wheel 45. It will be understood that a complete revolution of the drive shaft 23 of the tabulator is efiected for each of the required actuating movements controlling the paper positioning mechanism. Suitably mounted pinions 41 and 48 are employed to transmit the motion of gear wheel 46, in a. required degree, to the actuating shaft 28 for the mechanism. The platen 22 is rotatably mounted and is also preferably connected to the gear wheel 46 in order that the same be urged in the direction of feed-of the paper. It will be understood that the movement of the platen is to obviate frictional resistance of the paper in passing thereover during a feeding operation. There is no positive action by the platen to accomplish a feeding movement of the paper, the usual feed rolls for gripping the paper against the platen being omitted in the present disclosure. Pinions 43 and 50 are and .3) provide respective end portions in which the roll is rotatably secured. The paper roll shown for supplying a continuous web of paper to the mechanism is illustrative only of a desirable means for accomplishing this purpose. The

rotational axis of the paper feed roll, the feed or positioning mechanism shaft 23 and the platen 22 are all situated in parallel relationship.

Guide members for preventing lateral or transverse movement of the paper with respect to its direction of motion from the roll 5i and past the platen 22 are indicated in the drawings by the reference number 55. The guides are adjustably mounted, by means of connection pieces 56 in the form of spring and screw fastenin'gs, upon cross rods 51 secured on extension plates 58 connected to end plates 24 of the framework for the mechanism. A spacing member 56' (Fig. 3) located upon the head unit 2! of the tabulator is adapted to retain the respective upper and lower guides in adjusted parallel relationship. Guides 55 have U -shaped paper confining areas and, are employed in pairs to prevent the paper from moving either to the right or left as viewed in Fig. 2. The same are adjustably mounted on the rods 51 and spacing member 56' in order to enable them to be set to guide paper of different widths to and from the mechanism and tabulator. The uppermost pair of guides 55; as viewed in Fig. 1, con- Paper positioning mechanism (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5,

6 and 7) with reference particularly to Fig. 2, the mechanism forming the mechanical embodiment of the present inventive concepts, for accomplishing the positive positioning or feeding of the web of paper with respect to the platen or imprinting location of the. machine with which it is employed, is shown to be comprised of two cooperative and simultaneously, functioning drumshaped members as indicated in the drawings by the reference numbers 59 and 60. The circumferential paper feed area defined by the drum members is substantially larger than that of the Y utilized area size of theplaten or imprinting location with which it is associated. The memprovided to rotatably connect the platen 22 tothe Paper roll and guides (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) Suitable supporting structure is provided at the rear of the tabulator for a paper roll member 5| (Fig. 2) about which the paperto be fed to the machine has been wound. The paper is designated in the drawings by the reference number 52. Extension brackets 53 secured to the tabubers 59 and 60 act as the equivalent of a single cylindrical feed unit adapted to grip and feed the paper through means of engaging devices at each of the peripheral ends thereof adapted to contact the respective marginal surfaces of the paper at oppositely corresponding edge positions thereon. Drums 58 and 60 define contacting areas for only the edge portions of the web of paper. A wheel 6| of the same diameter as that of the equally sized drum-shaped members 59 and 60 forms a support for'the central portion of the web of paper in passing over the equivalent cylindrical or roller shaped positioning feed' the purpose of increasing the marginal area of engagement of the edges of the paper on the later machine body as indicated at 64 (Figs. 2 7 feed unit and to provide a cover for the drum larly shown in Fig.4.

.ments is particularly directed to members to protect the operating mechanismcontained therein. v

I With reference particularly to Figs. -3 and 4, the drum-shaped member 60 shown therein is securely mounted on a sleeve 64 which is movable longitudinally with relation to the square shaft 28. Rotary movement imparted to the shaft 28 directly actuates the member 60 through the sleeve 64 to effect a paper positioning or feeding operation of the mechanism. Stationary driving elements for the mechanism are mounted upon a plate 65 adapted to extend between cross rods 25 and 26 of the mechanism framework. Set screw end connections of the plate 65, as designated at 66, permit the same to be adjust- 'ed longitudinally between the rods and secured in a desired location. A positioning collar 61 is provided for the sleeve 64 (Fig. 4) so that the drumsshaped member is rotatably secured in relation to the plate 65 in a longitudinal position along the square shaft 28 determined by the set location of the plate on the cross rods and 26.

It will be understood that throughthis construction the spacing between the drum members 59 and 80 and the location of the same with respect to the driving shaft 28 may be altered to accommodate the feeding of different widths of paper on the mechanism. Also for the feed of a given width of paper the respective drum members and paper guides must be'correspondingly and correctly in an aligned set position as shown in Fig.

2 in which the inoperatively positioned paper engaging fingers 16 are adjacent to but clear of the rim or edge of the paper on both drums.

Suitable means, such as set screws, as indicated at 68, are utilized with the mechanism cover wheels 62 and 63 so that the same are readily adjustable longitudinally on the shaft 28 to assume the correct position with relation to the drum-shaped members with which they are associated.

The ends of the drum-shaped members disposed towardthe framework plates 24 are closed as designatedat 69. Adjacent the holding plates 65 the drums are open, as indicated at 10 in the drawings, to afford access to the hollow interior of the same in which the mechanism for controlling the operation of the paper gripping fingers is located. v

A flanged cam plate II is concentrically positioned within the interior of the drum 60 in a fixed location by means of the spacing lugs 12 which connect the same with the plate 65. Betweenthe cam plate 1| and the securing lugs 12 is also located a supporting member 13 upon which four intermittent gear actuating elements 14 are secured in spaced radially disposed relationship to the driving shaft 28. The gear actuators ll are in the form of rollers suitably mounted to rotate in associated bracket pieces 16 connected to "the supporting member 18 as particu- The position of each of the four intermittent gear actuating elements II with relation to the rotative drum member is clearly shown inFig. 3 by, the location of the bracket support 15 for the same.

The mechanism operative by the cam plate and intermittent gear stationary actuating elecontrol the paper gripping means or fingers employed to engage the marginal edge of the web of paper in a feedable position against the exterior circumferential surface of the drums. In the mechanism shown, there are a plurality of such gripping fingers as designated at 18 in the drawings, the

' of the cam surface function in pairs efiecting the respective sides of thepaper to obtain an even feed movement of the paper and in the same manner move into and out of such paper feed effective position. A preferable shape for the gripping fingers 16 is rectangular, so that when the same are in a lengthwise position parallel to the rotative axis of the drum, they are in a paper engaging location and when disposed at right angles to this location the same are out of engagement with the paper.

The" gripping fingers 16 are situated in the construction illustrated on the end of pins 11 which extend interiorly of the drum members, the same being locatedin a radially extending position with respect to the axis of rotation of the drums. The opposite end of the respective pins 11 is capable of engaging the outer surface of the flanged cam forming plate 1|, as shown in Fig. 4, which cam surface is designated in the drawings at 1.8. .The pins are held in a rotatable and reciprocally movable position by the drum member proper and a bracket piece 19 forof the same which is secured to the interior each wall of the closed end portion 69 of the drum. An intermittent gear is secured upon each of the pin elements 11 as clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, which gears are operatively brought into contact with the four spaced actuators for the same during and by movement of the drums. The-position of the gripping means actuating devices, as shown in the upper half of Fig. 4, and in Fig. 5 with the mechanism controlled thereby for regulating the gripping fingers I6 shows the same in a partially moved condition in which the fingers are leaving a paper engaging location and entering a location on the drum out of engagement with the paper. A view of the mechanism in similar operating condition in Fig. 6 may be observed in the position of the pin therein elevated to the greatest degree by the raised portion I8. In the lower half of Fig. 4, the parts are illustrated in a position in which the gripping fingers are out of engagement with the paper. The position of the parts in the lower half of Fig. 4 in which there is clearance between the pin 11 and its cam surface I8 is' the same as that of a finger position for engagement with the paper surface except for the fact that the finger is then located lengthwise of the drum instead of as there particularly shown.

The mechanism specifically disclosing the manner by which the gripping fingers 18 are tensionally or yieldably secured in a paper engag-' ing position is illustrated in the form of two slidably contacting pieces such as designated at 8| and 82 in the drawings, provided for each of the grippi fingers on the are located against the interior wall of the closed end 68 of the drum and are operatively associated by means of connecting pins 88 and 84 slidably situated in the respective slots 85 and 86 (Fig. '7) provided in the body of the drum. The slots are radially aligned in groups of twofor'each gripping element with respect to the axis of rotation or the drums as defined by the common shaft 28 thereof. Pin 88 is connected to slide piece 8| as indicated at 8I, and pin 84 is likewise associated with the slide piece 82 as shown at 88. A coiled tension spring 88 yieldably joins the contacting slide pieces 1! and 82 by direct condrums. The slide pieces;

portion 01 the pin 11-.

nection of the same 'at the portion of the pins extending exteriorly of the closed end of the drum, as clearly shown in the drawings (Figs. 4 and 7).

The upper portion of the slide piece'8l has a right angle bend in the same, the end of which is bifurcated in form to make sidewise restrictive slidable engagement with the pin I1. The 'under surface of this portion of the piece 8| contacts the upper surface of the intermittent gear 88. Acting in cooperative relationship therewith, with respect to the gear 88, is the slide 82, the same having an upwardly extending portion adapted to contact the under surface of the gear 80, such as designated at 9| in the drawings. A roller follower 92 is connected to theslide piece 82,the same normally engaging the inner periphery of the cam defining surface formed by the inwardly disposed flange of the cam plate II.

A- plurality of U-shaped brackets as indicated at 93 in the drawings is circularly arranged about the interior wall of the closed end of the drum,

the same being adapted to engage one of the teeth of the intermittent gear '89 and the pin 11 and finger 18 therewith to maintain these parts against rotative movement in any position of the mechanism, except when the gear has been urged out of contact therewith. The cam forming surface of the plate H on which the roller is movably positioned is indicated in the drawings at 94.

With particular reference to Fig. 6, the flangecam defining surfaces of the stationary cam plate II, which form the actuating means for the mechanism controlling the operation of the paper engaging fingers, is adapted to include four surface thereof, the same being indicated at 95, outward protuberances around the peripheral 98, 91, and 98. The cam surface also has two sections which are curved or arched as shown at 99 and I08 and two further sections which are relatively straight, designated 'at II and I82; The lower or inner cam defining surface with which the roller 92 makes contact is of analogous contour to that described for the] shape of the outer portion of the flanged cam plate ll.

In accordance with the construction disclosed, the slide mechanism for yieldingly retaining the fingers 18 of the device under control of the tension springs 89 is normally operatively posivided for the same. The clearance of the pins 11 with relation to the cam surfaces hereinbefore described is particularly observable in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

In the four positions defined by the raised portions of the cam surface as noted at 95, 96, 91, and, the mechanism for controlling the operation of the fingers 16 is under the direct influence of the contact of the pins 11 thereon.- When so located the pins and the fingers therewith are urgedoutwardly, the intermittent gear 88 clearing the confining U-shaped brackets 93 so the gear is free to rotate through an angle of ninety degrees under the influence of the gear actuators 14. The actuators 14 being stationary, such movement is derived from the rotation of the drums proper. With reference particularly to the upper portion of Fig. 4, which shows finger 18 in a partly turned position, the mechanism for tensionaily securing the fingers-when otherwise located, is there employed to hold the intermittent gear in a-rotatable manner and prevent the same from overriding the degree of movement imparted to it by the actuator. This is accomplished through means of the spring 89 which yieldably retains the respective cooperatin portions of the slide pieces 8| and 82 adapted to contact the opposite surfaces of intermittent gear 80 in frictional engagement therewith. In this position of the mechanism there is clearance between the roller 92 and the cam surface 94 and the action of the spring 89 is exerted through the slide piece 82.

The radially aligned locations of the cam sections 95, 98, 91, 98, and the gear actuator 14 for each one of the same facilitates movement of raised but 'of the U-shaped brackets 93 and 'through means of the intermittentgear 88 and tioned, as desired, from the roller 92 which is in contact with its cam surface in any of the sections thereof noted at I89, Hi2, 99, and I ll. In this position ofthe mechanism as shown in the lower portion of. Fig. 4, there is clearance betweenthe exterior cam surface 18 and the lower Consequently, pressure is exerted on the finger 18 to yieldingly hold it in position against the circumferential surface of the drums through the bifurcated end 98 of the slide piece 8|, by way of spring 89, the other end connection of which is made to roller 92,

- which is against its contacting surface, through the slide piece 82. From the above, it will be understood that the springs 89 tend to close the normal gap between the slide pieces 8| and 82, as. defined by the respective portions thereof adapted to contact the intermittent gear '88. When the mechanism 1 is controlled through roller 92, cooperating with noted cam surfaces llll, I82, 99, or NH, there is clearance between the respective associated portions of the slide'pieces 8| and 82 and the intermittent gear 88 is located in a rotatably restricted position within the U-shaped bracket members 99 pro-.

actuator H for the same, the fingers are turned to assume a paper engaging position. In such a position, the-rectangularly shaped fingers are lengthwise located in parallel relationship to the axis of rotation of the drum. The fingers tensionally secure the paper against the circumferential surface of the drum through the arc of its travel designated at A-B in the drawings. This are defines a determined paper contacting area on the rotatable feed drums or equivalent cylindrical surface in which, as shown, there are I always two fingers 18 on each of the drums in a paper engaging position.

As the fingers, or the pins 11 thereof, ride over the cam protuberance 98, a similar action occurs to that heretofore described in which the fingers are progressively turned out of the paper engaging position to one in which the same are clear of the edges of 'the web of paper. The turning movement of thefingers is effected to hold the paper when desired and to otherwise have the same clear of the paper-so as not to interfere with-the proper feeding of'the web of paper through means of themechanism.

A similar action of the mechanism occurs in the passage of the pins past the cam protuberanc'es' 91 and 98, the arc-CD being used to herein designate the secured paper contacting area for the lower portion of the drums.

The unitary mechanism is consequently operative to feed the-web of paper from the paper roll to the platen 22 or other imprinting location through means of the paper positioning or feed area C-,D and'simultaneously controls the corresponding movement or feed of the paper platen location.

In the independent curved contacting areas for the paper AB and CD formed on the exterior of the drums, the gripping means provided engages the edges of the web of paper to secure the paper in a line connection between respective cooperating gripping fingers on the drums. The curved area of contact of the paper upon the drums is designated in the upper position by the indication EF and in the lower position by GI-I, the same defining tangential lines of contact of the paper with respect to the .drums both in approaching and leaving the same.

The gripping fingers for securing the paper in a feedable manner are situated within the operating areas AB and CD which are offset from the tangential line of connection of the paper approaching the feed mechanism in the curved contacting area provided for the same as designated at E and G. The force applied by the fingers upon the paper, with rotation of the drums, is consequently exerted in a different plane than that of the plane of movement of the paper in approaching the mechanism. The paper thus has a curved area retention upon the mechanism when the drums are rotated to obtain a more accurate and positive feed of the same with relation to the platen or imprinting location. The plane of action of the force exerted by the gripping means on the paper during a feeding operation of the disclosed mechanism is at an angle to the plane of movement of the paper to the drums.

Through means of the nism associated therewith the gripping fingers 18 in a paper engaging position yieldably retain the paper in feedable relationship against the drum, the same providing for the uniform feeding of paper in which there are irregularities in the thickness or variances in the texture of the same. I

When the guides 55 and drums 59 and 60 are in correct relative positions as indicated in Fig. 2, to accommodate the feeding of a desired width web of paper, the paper is readily inserted in the positioning mechanism by sliding the paper guides I40, I, I42, .and I43 over the platen location 22 and up to the paper gripping position A. Further rotation of the mechanism moves the paper through the feeding area A--B and the'same is then guided along between the upper pair of parallel guide members 55. A horizontally positioned indicating bar I03, (Fig. 3) usedwith the tabulator machine, is employed to provide a fixed location against which the operator may observe the degree of movement of the paper being fed by the mechanism past the platen between feeding operations. The drums 58 and 80, wheels 62 and 83, and the central springs 88 and mechapast the lower pair of guides 55 into the approximate position G in which the paper first makes tangential contact with the mechanism; By moving the paper further so that the end of the same comes within the paper finger engaging portion of the drums as at C, it is possible to now utilize the mechanism itself to set the pa er ina starting position. The drums are rotated and the paper fed by this portion of the mechanism is guided past the tabulator paper-supporting wheel GI, as mounted on the shaft 28 form a unitary rotatable feed cylinder over which the web of paper is controllably positioned as taught by the present inventive disclosure.

With particular reference to Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, a modification of the inventive concepts herewith disclosed is shown, the same chiefly concerning an alternative manner of construction facilitating the yieldable securement of the web of paper in the separate and heretofore disclosed paper feeding areas defined by the drums. In this instance one of the drums of the cylindrical feed mechanism is designated at IIO. Ex-

teriorly the same is provided with an annular member III, preferably of rubber, against the herewith defined curved portions of which the paper is adapted to be feedably brought into engagement. The stationary cam actuator in this form of the invention is indicated at II2, the interior faces of which are adapted to control the operation of the gripping means presently employed.

In thespecification, the gripping fingers peripherally situated about the drum members are designated in the drawings at II3. A supporting piece II4, secured to a fastening screw connection such as shown at II5, includes an upper fixed pivot as designated at H8 about which the finger element H3 is adapted to move in a controlled arcuate direction. The lower portion of the supporting piece H4 is constructed to include a further fixed pivot II'I about which a bell-crank lever H8 is rotatably mounted. One end of the lever II 8 is adapted to extend through an opening in the end wall of the drums as indicated at III), which end is constructed to include a roller I20 engageably positioned with relation to interior faces of the stationary actuator cam I I2.

A flange defining plate, suitably secured between the end wall of the drum and the supporting piece II4 as designated in the drawings at I2I, forms a stop I22 providing a limit to the lateral or transverse movement of the paper in passing through the positioning mechanism.

The toggle mechanism herewith employed to regulate the operation of the gripping fingers of the mechanism further includes a connecting link I23, pivotally secured at one end of the same to the end of the bell-crank II8 opposed to the end of this element containing the roller I20,

,the' movable pivot connection of these parts being indicated at I24. The other end of the link I28 is pivotally connected to a bail I25 as designated atv I28. Bail I25 is also rotatably mounted about the fixed pivot I I5.

The gripping finger element II8 of the mechanism is U-shaped, the parallel arms of the same being indicated at I 21 and I28. The arms extend beyond the pivotal axis of the element, as notedat Hi, and include protruding lugs I29 the side of the drums by and I30 which are spaced from, but are adapted to cooperate with,-the extending ends I3I and ing position. The contact portion of the finger element upon the paper is curved as indicated at I33 (Fig. 9) conforming in curvature to annular member III located on the drum IIO. A tension spring I34 coiled about the fixed pivot II6 contacts a lug I35 extending from the arm I28 of the gripping finger H3 and also engages with the bail I25,-as indicated at I36, so that through the same and the clearance provided between the cooperating lugs I29 and I30 and the pivot I26, the fingers are yieldably secured in a paper engaging position.

The cam II2 against which the roller I20 rides provides 5. surface I3'I which breaks the toggle mechanism which throughthe oscillation of the bell-crank IIB, link I23 and cooperation of pivot I26 against the lugs I29 and I'30, moves'the parts to an open toggle position in which the fingers II3 are raised clear of the edge of the drum. This location of the parts is clearly shown by the dotted line position in Fig. 10. To operate the toggle to set itself in a paper engaging position, the cam surface I38 is provided, it being understood that the positions of actuation to change the toggle finger gripping linkage correspond to the detail setting positions hereinbefore described in connection with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

While there are above described but a limited number of embodiments of the invention, it is possible to produce still other embodiments without departure from the inventive. concept above disclosed, and it is, therefore, desired that only such limitations shall be imposed on the appended claims as are stated therein, or required by the prior art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A mechanism for feeding a web of paper comprising a rotatable cylindrical member, two separate portions of the curved surface of which define curved paper engaging feed areas, gripping instrumentalities situated on' said cylindrical member, movable into and out of operative position during movement of said member, for feedably engaging the edge of the paper, when in operative position, against the respective curved feed defining area portions of the cylindrical member, and means for rotating said member to obtain corresponding movements of the paper at both feeding portions of the mechanism.

2. A paper positioning mechanism for feeding .a web of paper over a platen or imprinting location including axially aligned spaced drum members of equal diameter, means for effecting simultaneous rotation of the drum members, independent curved paper contacting areas located in different sections of the peripheral surface of the drum members, and means situated on said drum member for gripping the edge of the paper in both of said independent curved contacting areas, one of the same feeding the paper to the platen or imprinting location upon rotation of the drum members and the other simultaneously functioning therewith to feed a corresponding length of paper from the platen or imprinting location.

3. A paper positioning mechanism including a rotatably mounted cylindrical feed member having a curved paper contacting area thereon,

a plurality of movable gripping fingers peripherally situated about the cylindrical member at both edges of the paper contacting area, an intermittently functioning gear and a stationary actuator therefor adapted to move the gripping fingers into and out of feedable engagement with the paper in the curved contacting area for the same on the cylindrical feed member when said member is rotated, and spring effective means for yieldably contacting the intermittent gear to prevent overriding of the same with respect to its actuator during the operation thereof. I

4. A paper positioning mechanism for feeding a web of paper over a platen or imprinting location, having spaced drum members rotatably mounted on a common shaft, the circumferential area defined by the drum members being substantially larger than that of the utilized area size of the platen or imprinting location with which it is associated, said drums having two independent curved paper contacting areas situated in oppositely disposed relationship to one another on the circumferential surface thereof, and means for gripping the web of paper along the respective curved contacting areas to uniformly feed the paper both to and from the paper, a plurality of radially reciprocable and rotatably mounted gripping fingers peripherally situated on the drum members at both sides of the defined curved paper contacting area thereof, means for effecting a reciprocating movement of the gripping fingers at the start and end of the position on the drums defining the paper contacting area, and an intermittent gear operative, upon rotation of the drums, at the interval of maximumreciprocation of'thegripping fingers to rotate the same into a paper engaging position within the defined paper contacting area and out of said position and clear of the paper at the end of the same, and means securing said intermittent gear from movement when in a non-operative position.

6. A paper positioning mechanism for feeding an imperforate edge web of paper over a platen or imprinting location comprising two spaced drum members of equal diameters rotatably mounted on a common shaft, thesame having a curved contacting area thereon for the web of paper, a plurality of radially reciprocable and rotatably mounted gripping fingers peripherally situated on the drum members at both sides of the defined curved paper contacting area thereof, a spring effective mechanism through means of which the gripping fingers are yieldablysecured in a feedable paper engaging. position within the defined curved papercontacting area, upon rotation of the drum members, means for effecting a reciprocating movement of the gripping fingers, and an intermittently operative gear for rotating the gripping fingers into and out of the paper engaging position when said fingers have reached their maximum point of providing means for preventing overriding the .intermittent gear during its operation.

7. A paper positioning mechanism for feeding a web of paper over a platen or imprinting location comprising a rotatable teed cylinder, a

plurality of pivotally mounted flngers located rality of plvotally mounted fingers located upon said feed cylinder for gripping the edges of the web of paper against separate curved contacting areas provided for the paper on the circumferential surface 01 the cylinder, a toggle mechanism for each of said fingers, and actuating means for which the respective toggle mechanisms are effective to cause engagement of the fingers against the paper in the separate contacting areas provided for the same whereby the paper is simultaneously fed both to and from the platen or imprinting location upon rotation of the feed cylinder.

ELMER H. DREHER. 

